Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013
131. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will prioritise the rerouting of a bus that brings children to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry and that services the Kilsarcon area; if he will take into consideration the circumstances of this case and the fact that the proposed route is the more natural circuit and that there will be little or no extra cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31369/13]
View answer135. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a school bus route issue (details supplied) in County Kerry will be addressed. [31425/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 135 together. Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is not attending his nearest national school and is therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions, including the following:- routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis; no additional State cost will be incurred. The family in question should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of transport on a concessionary basis for the 2013/14 school year.
